Rauner discusses budget in Metro East

Published
12:00 am CDT, Monday, March 30, 2015

O’FALLON, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner was in O’Fallon, Ill., Monday to address questions and concerns about his proposed budget, saying the state needs to become more financially disciplined to get its finances back on track.

Rauner addressed members of the press Monday before speaking to a business summit hosted by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois at the Regency Conference Center Ballroom in O’Fallon. The governor was speaking on behalf of his Turnaround Agenda, which has drawn opposition from those believing the agenda slashes much-needed services. He was accompanied by U.S. Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL 15th District), Rodney Davis (R-IL 13th District) and Illinois Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon).

During the conference, Rauner stated that his agenda would make Illinois a “more competitive state,” adding that neighboring states are currently more competitive to corporations due to their lack of regulations.

“We have to grow our way out of our challenges,” he said. “We can’t cut our way out of everything.”

One of Rauner’s proposed cuts would drastically reduce the amount of income tax money distributed to local governments. The cuts would cost Jersey County $612,057 per year, which Jersey County Board Chairman Don Little recently said would eliminate the treasurer, county clerk, circuit clerk and coroner in the county.

Rauner’s proposed budget would also cut funding for mental health. Under the plan, more than $1.8 million in funding to WellSpring Resources in Alton would be cut, which could result in nearly 4,000 people not being able to receive much-needed mental health or substance abuse services. When asked about the local impact of his proposal, Rauner said that the future would see the income return.

“We need to learn financial discipline,” Rauner said. “Right now businesses don’t want to come to Illinois. They don’t have confidence in the state.”

Rauner said the cuts he is making will drive more businesses into Illinois instead of Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Once those businesses were in place, he said that more revenue would flow.

“It only takes a few counties and municipalities to get this state back on track,” he said.

One of the main themes of Rauner’s speech was the need for local governments to decide their own destinies. Rauner spoke against the “government insiders” and union leaders that he said have a firm grip on Illinois politics.

“It’s hard for politicians to stand up against the insiders in government and union leaders,” he said. “The governments and the schools belong to the people of Illinois, not the insiders and union leaders. The people should decide how their collective bargaining works in local and county governments as well as in the schools.”

Other highlights from Rauner’s appearance:

School funding

In opposition to discussing cuts, Rauner highlighted his dedication to schools during the speech. Rauner has promised $300 million in extra funding for kindergarten through high school education. Local school districts have said in previous interviews with the Telegraph that such funding would be great, but the entire funding structure for schools would have to change in order for the money to make a significant difference in their deficits.

Right-to-work

Rauner also stated that he is against right-to-work legislation for the whole of Illinois, but did state that labor regulations had to be reduced in order for Illinois to “stay competitive.”

Tax reform

When asked about future tax reform, Rauner said that he was not ruling out the possibility of new taxes, stating that he would “discuss anything” including tax reform. He added that the state needed structural reform before that.

Staff salaries

Rauner was also asked about the incomes of his staff. Elizabeth Purvis, a former charter school owner, is currently being paid $250,000 in taxpayers’ money by the governor. This is double what former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn offered his staff. Rauner admitted that she was paid a hefty amount, but added that his staff would not cost nearly as much as Quinn’s.

“We had to find people of high caliber and talent,” he said. “Illinois has lost its way. Governor Quinn did not have a good team of superstars.”

According to Rauner, his staff is composed of less people than Quinn’s and ultimately costs taxpayers less money, despite individually having high salaries.

“Beth could make a lot more in the private sector,” Rauner said.

He said that any of his staffers could make more money working in the private sector but applauded them for choosing to be public servants. He said that Purvis took a pay cut in regards to her former areas of employment. He stated that employees of the state of Illinois make 30-50 percent more than state employees in other states. He said that most make 22 percent more than they would in the private sector. He said that he wanted to change that.

Marijuana

In regards to the current medical marijuana legislation in the state of Illinois and its possible revenue, Rauner said that he was not a fan of the bill.

“That bill was not well-structured,” he said. “We gave it a proper review when I took office and approved licenses on a timely basis. Quinn started the bill and dodged it during his last weeks. I do not directly control that.”

Rauner added that medical marijuana would not save the Illinois economy, stating that only broad economic and structural reform would help the state thrive.

Scott Air Force Base

Previous to the conference, Rauner and his staff toured Scott Air Force Base, Boeing’s St. Clair County operations and Mid-America Airport. He was asked about the possibility of bringing the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to St. Clair County. He said that it would be the best location for it.

“It would be a huge opportunity for Illinois,” he said. “It’s a great location. It’s a very strategic and safe location as well.”

Rauner said that he would discuss bringing the center to St. Clair County with local, state and federal lawmakers as well as with the Obama Administration.

NFL

He was also asked about the possibility of bringing a new football stadium to the Metro East. He emphatically agreed with that idea as well.

“I think it would be a terrific place for that,” he said. “We have a lot of great workers and easy access to the city without all the congestion.”